Why don't some websites display correctly in Internet Explorer 8?

Websites designed for earlier versions of Internet Explorer might not display correctly in the current version. Often, you can improve how a website looks in Internet Explorer by using Compatibility View.

When you turn on Compatibility View, the webpage you're viewing—and other webpages within the website's domain—will be displayed as if you were using an earlier version of Internet Explorer.

If Internet Explorer recognizes a webpage that isn't compatible, you'll see the Compatibility View button on the Address bar.

To turn Compatibility View on or off, click the Compatibility View button, or follow these steps:

Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button . In the search box, type Internet Explorer, and then, in the list of results, click Internet Explorer.

Click the Tools button, and then click Compatibility View.

Notes

The website will be displayed in Compatibility View until you turn it off or the website is updated to display correctly in the current version of Internet Explorer.

Website display problems can also be caused by an interrupted Internet connection, heavy traffic, or issues with the computer code used to create the website.

If a website is compatible with the latest version of Internet Explorer, you might not see the Compatibility View button, or the Compatibility View menu item might not be available.

Websites that were designed for earlier versions of Internet Explorer might not display correctly in the current version. However, you can often improve how a website will look in Internet Explorer by using a new feature called Compatibility View.

When you turn on Compatibility View, the webpage you're viewing—as well as any other webpages within the website's domain—will be displayed as if you were using an earlier version of Internet Explorer.

To turn on Internet Explorer Compatibility View

Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Internet Explorer.

Click the Tools button, and then click Compatibility View.

If Internet Explorer recognizes a webpage that is not compatible, you will see the Compatibility View button on the Address bar. To turn Compatibility View on or off, click the Compatibility View button .

From now on, whenever you visit this website, it will be displayed in Compatibility View. However, if the website receives updates to display correctly in the current version of Internet Explorer, Compatibility View will automatically turn off.

Note

Not all website display problems are caused by browser incompatibility. Interrupted Internet connections, heavy traffic, or website bugs can also affect how a webpage is displayed.